El Bocal

At Bocal, we see the typical landscape of a riverside grove. This is the source of the Imperial Canal of Aragon, an irrigation ditch designed by Charles V and executed by the architect Gil Morlanes, who built the old dam and the so-called Palace of Charles V, a building that underwent major renovations in the 19th century. This complex is called the "Royal Bocal" (Bocal Real), since the word "bocal" means a dam or weir built on a river to divert its flow. This towered brick palace is surrounded by gardens, and there we can see the oldest hundred-year-old oak tree in Navarre.

A road leads to the other end of the river bend, where the so-called Casa de las Compuertas (House of the Gates) and the new dam are located. Ramón Pignatelli commissioned the construction of the new dam in 1770, as the previous dam had become obsolete. The canal's layout was also modified, increasing its depth and width, making it navigable as far as Zaragoza.

In addition, a village was built between the Palace and the canal, which served to house the maintenance workers, and also included an inn for travelers using the canal.

Visit the El Bocal area with free admission according to the following schedule:

From 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. from April 1st to October 31st (every day).
From 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. from November 1st to March 30th (Fridays, Saturdays, Sundays, and holidays).

Possibility of guided tours.